silly avalon drabble

[lovebites_sodoi]

 

Della Duck always took it upon herself to head right for the enchanted waters to welcome newcomers. Who better to comfort frightened and confused newbies than the (self-called) master of adventures and world-hopping herself? Plus, there was always the small hope she’d finally see a family face. But as she headed towards the lake that warm summer day, she saw someone neither frightened, confused, or familiar. There was a faint sense of relief in that it appeared to be someone who could be from their world, given that they were clearly a bird (why were so many worlds human-centric?!) but this one was definitely… unusual.

 

Instead of rushing in to welcome them, Della decided to hide behind a conveniently large boulder on the shore and took out her handy communication locket, which all of Avalon had. After a few taps, she cleared her throat quietly, sending out a signal to her fellow feathery-faced friends (And Drake/Darkwing.)

 

“Hey guys!” She chirped pleasantly. “I’m at the lake, helping out the newbs, and I think someone from our world is here… but they’re totally a stranger to me, so I figured I’d ask if any of you guys knew her.”

 

All three stopped what they were doing to listen in, curious and maybe a little excited.

“We’re all ears, Della!” from Fenton, who had been making last-minute adjustments to the Gizmoduck suit.

“I doubt it’s anyone I know, but go for it.” Gandra shrugged one shoulder, showing a little pessimism to hide any potential hope.

“Don’t skimp on any details!” Drake was in full Darkwing mode, who hoped that by “her”, Della was referring to Gosalyn, who he wound up missing much more than he expected. Of course, “her” could mean a certain someone else, but the odds of that seemed unlikely – when it came to one woman, his braggart self-confidence seemed to take a nosedive.

 

Della propped herself up and took a quick look from around the boulder, making sure to still keep herself hidden. “All righty… she’s pretty tall, I’d say about Launchpad-size. Black beak, green eyes, black hair with a white streak, I think she’s got a guitar on her back…” She paused, and then as a quiet aside mostly to herself, “Kind of a babe actually-”

 

“HOLDITHOLDITHOLDIT-” Darkwing interrupted so loudly that Gandra fell out of her chair, Fenton dropped several tools, and Della fell flat on the ground. Della scrambled to get back behind the boulder completely before she could be found, ears ringing from the sudden shout. “B-B-Black and white hair?! Green eyes? Black beak? Are you sure?” He began asking questions rapid-fire, grabbing the locket so tightly it was a miracle it didn’t break. “Does she have an amazing sense of allure with every step she takes? Is her voice the melodic symphony of the divine? Do her eyes sparkle like the most beautiful emeralds in a haunted jewelry box? Does she-”

 

“I take it you know her.” Gandra mercifully broke in. Fenton, for his part, had silently picked up the left arm of the Gizmoduck suit and silently began typing something in, as this description had also reminded him of someone.

 

Della didn’t know whether to find this funny or annoying. “Okay, so, definitely from our world. I’ll go help her out and-”

 

“NONONONONONO!” Darkwing once again shouted loud enough to pop eardrums, and all three of his companions fell over again. (Now, Della decided, it was annoying.) “I-I mean…” Darkwing cleared his throat. “Since I’m the most familiar with her, I will take time out of my busy crime-fighting schedule to welcome her to Avalon! No doubt my presence would comfort her and give her the peace of mind she needs as she adjusts. The poor dear must be so lost and scared, but as always, I will give her the strength and relief she deserves.” Della felt an urge to roll her eyes so hard that she thought she’d go blind.

 

“Ah-ha, here we go!” Fenton suddenly announced, pressing the final button necessary for his inquiry. “I thought she sounded familiar! I have an entire file dedicated to St. Canard’s villains so I can help out whenever necessary.”

 

“Villains?” Gandra and Della asked as the same time, while Darkwing began to flail. “Wait, wait, don’t-!”

 

But it was too late. The Gizmoduck arm popped out a small light, and the light began to show a mini projection of the lady at the lake as W.A.N.D.A.’s voice narrated. “Subject : Morgana McCawber. By day, she is the lead vocalist and guitarist of her goth rock band, Morgana and the Ghoulies. By night…” The projection changed to Morgana now rocking a clear supervillain outfit, as she and her monstrous misfits began to use their instruments to rob a less-than-well-guarded bank. “The band has been known to use music and magic to rob the city blind. Darkwing and his friends have faced off against them several times… with varying degrees of success.”

 

Darkwing began to sweat bullets as he heard Gandra and Della making similar “Hmmm” noises directed straight at him. “V-Villain is… kind of harsh! She’s more of an anti-hero, I’d say, who’s on the wrong path and needs my guidance to set her straight. Underneath her dark exterior is a heart of pure light!”

 

The “Hmmm” noises got stronger.

 

Fenton sheepishly turned off the projection. “Well… I doubt she can get up to too much harm here! There’s no where for her to escape to, everyone here has magic powers, and if Darkwing is vouching for her, how bad can she really be?”

 

“I can give you a very extensive list of her many, many crimes,” said W.A.N.D.A. before Fenton swiftly shut her off.

 

“HMMM.”

 

Della looked over at Gandra. “Classic case of femme fatale seducing the hero so he’ll lower his guard and make it easier to commit villainy under his beak?”

 

“At least I was subtle about it.” Gandra replied just as casually, with Fenton making a squeaky noise of defense in his throat. “Maybe it’d be better if we all went after her as a united front to let her know she won’t get away with anything?”

 

“I’m telling you, it’s not what you think!” Darkwing objected, despite it being very clear what he thought. “L-Look, what if… my good friend Drake Mallard met her first instead? She tends to… ease up on her… less than heroic qualities whenever he’s around. They’re quite close, as a matter of fact. Why, he’s testified to me at length about Morgana’s more redeeming qualities.”

 

Della rubbed her temples, weighing the options in her mind. Perhaps the more logical, safe option would be to follow Gandra’s idea and confront Morgana altogether… but, unsurprisingly, Della began to lean toward a much more entertaining path. “Y’know what? I’ll let you have this one, D.W. Go ahead and give her spiel about this place.”

 

The others were rather surprised at this turn of events, Darkwing most of all. “Really…? I mean, yes, wise of you to see the best choice!” With a hard clear of his throat, he saluted to signal himself off. “I’d better go inform Drake about this! This is Darkwing Duck, signing off!”

 

Once they were sure Darkwing Duck was no longer apart of the magically-connected conversation, Fenton couldn’t help but speak up. “You know, Della, I’d like to think I’ve come to know you better during our extensive time here, and I must say, that was a little out of character.” He was close to praising her for such a kind decision.

 

Gandra raised her hand as if she was an uppity student in class. “You totally just want to watch him flub it up from afar.”

 

“Obviously.” Della pointed a pair of finger guns at her fellow female. “Wanna watch with me?”

 

“You know it.” Gandra agreed with a grin, already planning to drag a groaning and unwilling Fenton along.

 

~*~

 

Roughly fifteen minutes later, the three spies were observing the confused witch from that very same boulder. Fenton had voiced his complaints about this breach of privacy and was ignored.

 

“Speaking as a reformed baddie,” Gandra said as they continued to wait for Drake’s appearance, “D.W. could actually be telling the truth, if you ignore all the lovestruck nonsense he was babbling about. I wouldn’t mind giving her a chance.”

 

“Oh, sure, sure.” Della waved a hand, not too worried either way. “I’d like her to be on our side as well. But we’ve gotta play it safe. Which I know sounds super weird coming from me of all people.” She then happened to glance something out of the corner of her eye, and choked. After taking a deep breath, she shakily began to lower her voice. “Uh, Fenton? That Gizmosuit have any… sound-dampening qualities?”

 

Fenton blinked rapidly, unable to tell where this sudden turn had come from. “Well, I have been experimenting with a ‘sound shield’ to a similar effect. It’s still in the early stages, but I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to give it a test run. Why?”

 

“Cause we’re all gunna need it in five seconds.” Della then pointed to what was making her lungs collapse as Fenton very quickly pressed a few extra buttons on the Gizmo-arm he had carried along. Fortunately for everyone involved, the experiment was successful, as a blue hexagon shield popped up from the mechanical arm and didn’t allow any sound to pass from behind the boulder – because at that precise moment, Drake Mallard was heading to the enchanted lake… in a brand-new wardrobe.

 

To be more specific, he had decided that since Avalon was a place of magic and fairy-tales come to life, perhaps it would ease Morgana into the setting if he looked the part, which was why he was now decked out like a plaid prince charming. Labels, cape, a rose tucked in his pocket, he was also perhaps hoping that Morgana would see him as her prince charming, and their romantic endeavors could blossom away from St. Canard. During his lengthy acting career, he had starred in several fairy-tale productions, so he was no doubt perfect for his role! Granted, those were mostly for very small children and very bored parents in penny-pinching productions that didn’t even get a listing in the local papers, but he always totally nailed the part of Knight #3! So, surely, right here and right now, he was nothing more than the shining image of goodness, purity, and nobility that any vampire-looking goddess on high would swoon over!

 

He actually looked pretty darn ridiculous, which was why Della and Gandra were rolling over each other in hysterical laughter. Even Fenton had slapped a hand over his own beak, feeling very guilty about each weathered wheeze threatening to escape his mouth. Each one of them was so preoccupied with their own guffaws that they completely missed the meeting they were supposed to be mediating over. Gandra was the first one to recover enough air to return to reality, sitting up and putting a hand above her eyes to peer ahead. “Say… maybe Drake does a chance with this chick.”

 

“Please, Gandra, I’m gunna die!” Della giggled hysterically, tears flowing down her cheeks. “What makes you say that?!”

 

“To start with, she’s the only one here not laughing.”

 

True to her word, once all three of them could get a good look through watery eyes, Morgana was listening attentively to the no doubt lengthy and overly-detailed explanation Drake was giving her about their current predicament. Sure, there was the occasional giggle here and there, but it wasn’t out of mockery of his unusual attire. Gods forbid, she actually seemed to be enjoying his company!

 

“To quote my uncle, bless me bagpipes.” Della quipped, cupping her beak in thought. “Check out the body language. She’s totally flirting with him.”

 

Fenton began to lower the shield. “She is?”

 

Della glanced over to Gandra. “I thought he was supposed to be a genius.”

 

Gandra half-shrugged. “I’m still training him.” Ignoring Fenton’s annoyed little pouting, she sat up straighter and began to gesture toward the much taller duck. (She assumed it was a duck. Or maybe a swan. Vampire? Succubus?) “It’s all in the body language. Look at the way she’s leaning in, and touching his arm without provocation. I bet you ten bucks she’s totally doing the higher-pitch when it comes to compliments, and lower-pitch when it comes to suggestions.” Della nodded sagely in agreement, and Fenton was left with even more questions.

 

Yet it was Della who came up with the next ask. “Wait a minute. Her flirting with Darkwing, that could just be a way to do crime easier. But flirting with Drake, that wouldn’t gain her anything… if she doesn’t know they’re the same guy.”

 

Fenton almost jumped and was quick to flail, trying not to make direct eye contact in a desperate attempt to hold his friend’s secret. “H-Hold on! The same guy? What… what ever could you possibly-”

 

“She knows.” Gandra interrupted. “You know, I know, she knows. Half of Avalon knows. Most squirrels know within five seconds. But Drake doesn’t know we all know. Y’know, this can get real confusing. Maybe we need to write down this whole knowing-not-knowing thing.”

 

“Which brings me to my actual point.” Della continued. “Morgana probably doesn’t know. Which means she might be both into Drake and Darkwing. Which means she thinks she’s in a love triangle. And Drake’s just gunna let her keep thinking that, and expect us to let her keep thinking that.”

 

Fenton frowned, crossing his arms and leaning back as that sunk in. “Oh… I see. That does bring up a real moral quandary. I know Drake means well, but this has all sorts of unethical complications. I can see why you’d be worried.”

 

“Worried?” Della snorted. “Are you kidding? This is gunna be a riot!”